Process for coating seeds with microorganism inoculants

Abstract

A method for improving the survival and viability of microorganism inoculants on the seeds, comprising the step of coating seeds with a mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and microorganisms. Also described are the mixture used in the foregoing method, a kit comprised of an aqueous mixture of a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol and an aqueous mixture of microorganisms as well as planting seeds with such coating applied. This invention is directed to all types of planting seed and a wide range of microorganism inoculants. Preparation of sterile liquid formulation of the novel mixture is described. The mixture is also biodegradable, which is environmentally advantageous.

1 . A mixture for coating seeds to improve the survival of microorganism inoculants applied to the seeds comprising a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol. 
     
     
         2 . A mixture of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation. 
     
     
         3 . The mixture of  claim 2 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation by irradiation or within a can. 
     
     
         4 . The mixture of  claim 3 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         5 . The mixture of  claim 4 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         6 . The mixture of  claim 4 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A mixture for coating seeds to improve the survival of microorganism inoculants applied to the seeds comprising a mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and said microorganism inoculants. 
     
     
         8 . The mixture of  claim 7 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation. 
     
     
         9 . The mixture of  claim 8 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation by irradiation or within a can. 
     
     
         10 . The mixture of  claim 9 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         11 . The mixture of  claim 10 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         12 . The mixture of  claims 7 ,  10 , and  11 , wherein the microorganisms are a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. 
     
     
         13 . The mixture of  claim 10 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method for improving the survival of microorganism inoculants on the seeds, comprising the step of coating seeds with a mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and microorganisms. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation by irradiation or within a can. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claims 14 ,  17  and  18 , wherein the microorganisms are a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. 
     
     
         20 . A method for improving the survival of microorganism inoculants on the seeds, comprising the step of coating seeds with a aqueous mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and a aqueous mixture containing microorganism inoculants, and an insecticide or fungicide formulation. 
     
     
         21 . A seed coated with a mixture comprising a carbohydrate, a sugar alcohol and microorganisms. 
     
     
         22 . The seed of  claim 21 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation. 
     
     
         23 . The seed of  claim 22 , wherein the mixture comprising the carbohydrate and the sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation by irradiation or within a can. 
     
     
         24 . The seed of  claim 23 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         25 . The seed of  claim 24 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         26 . The seed of  claims 21 ,  24  and  25 , wherein the microorganisms are a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. 
     
     
         27 . The seed of  claims 21 ,  24  and  25 , wherein the mixture is co-applied with an insecticide or fungicide formulation onto the seed. 
     
     
         28 . The seed of  claim 24 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . A dry mixture for addition to water for use in coating seeds to improve the survival of microorganism inoculants on the seeds, wherein such mixture comprises a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol. 
     
     
         30 . The dry mixture of  claim 29 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         31 . The dry mixture of  claim 30 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         32 . The dry mixture of  claim 30 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . A kit for coating seeds to improve the survival of the microorganism inoculants on the seeds comprising: (a) a mixture of a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol, (b) a microorganism. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the mixture comprising a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 34 , wherein the mixture comprising a carbohydrate and a sugar alcohol is formulated as a sterile preparation by irradiation or within a can. 
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch from waxy maize. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claims 33 ,  36 , and  37 , wherein the microorganisms are a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claims 33 ,  36 , and  37 , wherein the kit also includes an insecticide or fungicide formulation. 
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 36 , wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from group consisting of sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, or combinations thereof.